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How to Stop Land Developers

The U.S. Forest Service predicts that land development will increase 79% from 2000 to 2025, while the population will only increase 24%. With these types of statistics, it is no wonder that many people want to halt land development in its tracks. Unfortunately, forming a human wall in front of bulldozers only stops land development in the movies, and only in unrealistic movies. Thankfully, there are legal ways to minimize or halt land development altogether.

Things You'll Need

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Instructions

  1. How to Stop Land Developers

    • 1

      Try to find a loophole. There are many laws, especially conservation or zoning laws, that could prevent land development in certain areas, including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, for example. If you feel there is a type of rare species that would be damaged or if any of the birds covered under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act are nesting in the area, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Otherwise, consider contacting a local lawyer who specializes in real estate or development issues.

    • 2

      Start a petition. This is importing in preventing land development or minimizing its damage. If you are unsure how to write an effective petition, look online for templates. Find as many area residents who oppose the development as possible and ask them sign the petition. Make copies of the petition in case something happens to the original.

    • 3

      Go to the papers. Make sure the local community knows what is going on. Call up news stations. This may be unnecessary, as the land development may already be an issue in the local community. However, if the project in question is going unnoticed and the developers are trying to be discreet, make sure to contact as many local media outlets as possible.

    • 4

      Show up to city council meetings and zoning board meetings on the proposed land development. It is important to pay attention to the TV news and newspapers, as meetings about the development will be announced by such means. However, you can contact the council or zoning board for a schedule of their meetings.

    • 5

      Make sure to present a coherent case to present to the council. Get as many other concerned citizens to attend as possible.

    • 6

      Learn to compromise. It is rare that a development will be stopped entirely. But it is possible to minimize the damage to a proposed area by presenting a compelling argument to the local government, and by demonstrating community opposition to the project. Ask the council for small things like tree preservation, alternate building sites or large buffer zones. Any concession on the part of the council or developers is better than no concession at all.

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